Rauner says he has support of some non-Republicans

CHICAGO — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner says he has the backing of some Illinois Democrats and independents.

Speaking Thursday at a news conference in downtown Chicago, the Winnetka venture capitalist says he’s received support from more than 20 community leaders. The group of supporters is billing itself as “Democrats and Independents for Rauner.”

Rauner’s campaign says in a statement that Illinois is “a diverse state and one party doesn’t have a monopoly on good ideas.”

The non-Republican backers include Rev. James Meeks, a former state senator who’s now senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago.

Rauner also says he’s launching his first statewide advertisement, which is in Spanish.